Late broadcaster Kenneth Zyer lived with his wife, Debra Zyer, in Sun City Center, Florida.
WVLI radio newsman and personality Ken Zyer d*ed on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 66, after a sudden illness in Tampa, Florida.
Highlights
- WVLI broadcaster Kenneth Zyer took his last breath on March 15, 2025, at 66, after battling with a short-term illness in Tampa, Florida.
- Kenneth tied the knot with Debra Zyer and had two daughters, Jillian and Brianna Zyer.
- His daughter, Jillian, is the Clinical Director at Missing Piece ABA and a registered behavior technician at Progressive Behavior Management.
The Valley WVLI 92.7 FM poured a small tribute to Ken through their official Facebook handle. They wrote,
It is with heavy hearts to report the passing of Ken Zyer over the weekend. Ken was a member of the Milner Media family for many decades and served as the radio station news director until about six years ago when he went into semi-retirement. Even then, Ken continued to be a part of the station, taking over afternoon news duties. Ken was loved by Milner Media and the community; his voice will be dearly missed.
The Valley WVLI 92.7 FM
Program director at Milner Broadcasting, Mike Tomano, also took to his official Facebook handle to bid farewell to Ken. He wrote,
The radio show today was heavy with emotion as we bid farewell to our colleague Kenneth Zyer . When we did the River Country morning show together, we had a blast. I made it a personal goal to make him laugh each morning. Here’s one of my faves from January, 2019. I got in a little trouble for the bit, but it was worth it. Ken’s laugh is eternal. Remember him. We were blessed to know him.
Mike Tomano
On-air Radio Personality at The Valley WVLI 92.7 FM took to his Facebook handle and remembered the time spent with Kenneth. He wrote,
I slept in a little later than normal today and woke up to see announcements all over facebook of Kenneth Zyer’s passing. I was not aware until this afternoon. This terrible news is a huge shock to myself and the rest of the staff at Milner Media. Ken was one of the most legendary voices in local radio and one of the best News reporters that any station could ever hope to have on board. I first met him in 2009 when I was an intern for the very station I work for today. He was talented, funny, highly respected, and always kind towards me. We have been coworkers for over 8 years now and I’m glad to have known and worked with him. Ken Zyer meant a lot to this community and he will be greatly missed. WVLI, WIVR and WFAV have just lost one of our original voices and greatest personalities. My prayers and deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, past coworkers, listeners and anyone else who may have known and cared for him.
Denny Case
Zyer started his local radio career in 1979 as a DJ at WBYG, better known as “The Bus.” He became the station’s news director in 1988.
He transitioned to the upstart WVLI radio station in 1995, where he tag-teamed with longtime area radio personality Jim Brandt. They worked side by side for many years.
Recently, on Sunday afternoon, Brandt recalled the relationship the two men forged as they worked to bring the station into local prominence. He said,
“We were kind of a team the whole time I was at the station,” “He could take your lead and entertain without taking over,” “I don’t think I would have been successful without him. We were a 50-50 team.”
Jim Brandt
Jim added Zyer, just like the late WKAN newsman Ed Munday, certainly had the talent to work in a radio market much larger than the Kankakee County-based WVLI.
Wife Debra Zyer Is Mourning The Tragic Loss Of Her Husband Kenneth Zyer
The late broadcaster Kenneth Zyer was married to Debra Zyer. After their marriage, the couple settled in Sun City Center, Florida.
Debra, 64, was born in June 1960 in Florida, United States. She has avoided social media, so little about her personal life is known.
Currently, she is mourning the tragic loss of her husband, Kenneth Zyer.
Closed ones and relatives have poured their heartfelt condolence to Debra and her entire family to stay strong in this heartbreaking moment.
Rest in Peace, Kenneth Zyer.
Kenneth Zyer Had Two Children With His Wife, Debra Zyer
After several years of marriage, broadcaster Kenneth Zyer and his wife Debra were blessed with two daughters: Brianna and Jillian Zyer.
Jillian’s official Facebook handle shows that she has been in a relationship since April 9, 2022.
She lives in Plant City, Florida, and pursued her Bachelor’s in Science from Southern Illinois University.
Later, she studied Applied Behavior Analysis at Ball State University.
Her official LinkedIn profile showcases that she taught at Children’s Country Club from August 2012 to August 2016.
She is the Clinical Director at Missing Piece ABA and a registered behavior technician at Progressive Behavior Management.
Recently, Jillian took to her official Facebook handle and posted a photo with her father, Kenneth, and captioned,
I miss you 😢 I wish it was a horrible dream.
Jillian Zyer
On the other hand, Kenneth and Debra’s second daughter, Brianna, has managed to avoid social media, so little is known about her personal life.
However, she is also mourning the tragic loss of her supportive and devoted father, Kenneth.
Additional Information
- Broadcaster Kenneth Zyer was born to his father, Benjamin A. Zyer, and his mother, Elizabeth Zyer. Sadly, his father, Benjamin, took his last breath in 2008 at 80.
- Kenneth grew up with his brother David and sister Nancy Reiser. David tied the knot with Connie, and Nancy tied the knot with Cory Reiser.
- He graduated from Columbia College Chicago and was a reporter at Total Traffic Network for over 19 years.
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